PRESS RELEASE: Every conversation matters for children and young people in care
National Child Protection Week (1-7 September) is an opportunity to come together to learn how to keep kids safe and happy.
This year, NAPCAN’s theme is ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ accompanied by an important message that ‘Every conversation matters.’
CREATE Foundation’s CEO Imogen Edeson said this message is a crucial one, especially for children and young people growing up in out-of-home care in Australia.
“There are more than 45,000 children and young people in out-of-home care across Australia. Like all children, every single one of those young people deserves a fair go and to have their voice heard.
However, we know from research and from what children and young people tell us, that this is not always the case.
Starting a conversation is a simple way to support children and young people to be safe and to feel heard,” said Ms Edeson.
CREATE Foundation will run events in recognition of National Child Protection Week all over Australia, including:
4 September: Youth Advisory Group and Child Protection Week celebration in Hobart, TAS
5 September: National Child Protection Week Dinner in Brisbane, QLD
6 September: Youth Advisory Group plus movie and dinner in North Melbourne, VIC
6 September: CREATE pool party in Darwin, NT
7 September: Connection event at Perth Zoo, WA
7 September: Child Protection Week Picnic in Cairns, QLD
3-6 September: Podcast recording in Adelaide, SA (capacity exhausted)
13 September: Child Protection Week Youth Advisory Group in Parramatta, NSW or online
18 September: Youth Advisory Group in Canberra, ACT
Young people and their carers can contact their State team for full event details and to RSVP create.org.au/state-teams
If you are a young person who needs help or support, contact the free helplines below:
• Call 000 if you are in danger
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Blue Knot 1300 657 380
• 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732
CREATE Foundation is the national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. We provide programs to children and young people with a statutory care experience. We listen to what those with a lived experience of the care system tell us, and advocate with and for them to achieve systemic change.
*ENDS*
For further comment from CREATE’s CEO, Imogen Edeson, contact Taylor Toovey, Communications and Media Specialist via (m) 0478 814 752 or [email protected]
Key statistics on out-of-home care in Australia
• There are currently around 45,393 children and young people in out-of-home (OOHC) care nationally (AIHW, 2023).
• As of 30 June 2022, of the 45,393 children and young people in out of home care, 19,432 identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (AIHW, 2023).
• Nationwide, only 67.5% of children and young people in care feel they could have a say ‘reasonably often’ and 15.7% reported that they rarely or never had a say (McDowall, 2018).
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Child protection Australia 2021–22. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/child-protection/child-protection-australia-2021-22
McDowall, J. J. (2018). Out-of-home care in Australia: Children and young people’s views after five years of National Standards. CREATE Foundation.
